INDIANAPOLIS – The NCAA will host the entire 2021 men’s basketball championship in Indiana, with the majority of the tournament’s 67 games taking place in Indianapolis. Selection Sunday is still scheduled for March 14, and plans continue to have the Final Four on April 3 and 5, with exact dates for the preliminary rounds to be determined.
“This is a historic moment for NCAA members and for the state of Indiana,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert. “We work tirelessly to reimagine a tournament structure that maintains our unique championship opportunity for college athletes. The reality of today’s announcement was made possible by the tremendous leadership of our members, local authorities and employees. “
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The NCAA is partnering with a local healthcare provider to administer the COVID-19 test within the controlled environment for players, technical teams, administrators and officials. The Marion County Department of Health has approved medical protocols shared by the NCAA and will continue to collaborate with the NCAA before and during the championship.
The tournament will be organized by Ball State, Butler, Horizon League, Indiana, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Purdue, who are lending their facilities and teams to assist in tournament operations. The Indiana Convention Center will be used as a practice center, with several courts set up within the venue. Marriott properties, an official NCAA corporate partner, will host most of the tournament teams. The properties are connected to the convention center via walkways and in a controlled environment. All teams will be accommodated on dedicated hotel floors, with meeting and dining rooms physically distant, as well as safe transportation to and from the competition venues.
The games will be played on two courts within Lucas Oil Stadium, as well as at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Mackey Arena in West Lafayette and Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington. Only one game at a time will be played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
CBS Sports and Turner Sports will continue to distribute all 67 games of the tournament on TBS, CBS, TNT, truTV and their digital platforms.
“The 2021 version of March Madness will be unforgettable, at least for the uniqueness of the event,” said NCAA senior vice president of basketball, Dan Gavitt. “With the direction of the Men’s Basketball Committee, we are making the most of the circumstances that the global pandemic has presented. We are fortunate to have neighbors and partners in Indianapolis and surrounding communities who not only love the game of basketball as much as anyone else in the country, but also have a long history when it comes to organizing major sporting events.
“This is going to be complicated and difficult; there is no doubt about it. We appreciate the collaboration between the Men’s Basketball Committee and the team, our local hosts and organizers, the teams at each practice and competition venue, and our broadcast and corporate partners. Let’s all come together and organize an incredible national championship. “
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The NCAA is closely monitoring the ongoing pandemic and will continue to work with local authorities to determine the feasibility of fans watching the games at either location, although a limited number of family members of student-athletes and coaches from each participating team be allowed to watch your team’s games. Details regarding the possible allocation of other tickets will be finalized later, as well as any decisions about fan events.
The NCAA is also working with the city and the state to promote “Mask Madness”, an initiative to promote health and safety by practicing social detachment and wearing a mask. As part of that program, the NCAA will donate thousands of masks across the state before the tournament.